Report 01 of IYA2009 Sri Lanka

2008/01/01

Report 01-IYA2009-Sri Lanka

1.)Sri Lanka National Node for IYA2009

2.)Sri Lanka National Committee for IYA2009

3.)IYA2009 Sri Lanka Proposed Program Activity

4.)IYA2009 Sri Lanka Website

Sri Lanka National Node for IYA2009

Astronomical Association of Lanka (AALK) will act as the National Node. AALK was founded as the Ceylon Astronomical Association in 1959 with Sir Arthur C Clarke as President will be in its Golden Jubilee year in 2009. Prof. Kavan Ratnatunga who is currently resident in Sri Lanka, has volunteered to be the National Node Chairman and Single Point of Contact for IYA2009 to the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The following organizations have joined the effort

Astronomical Association of Lanka (AALK)

Arthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technology (ACCIMT)

Astronomy & Space Study Center (ASSC)

Colombo Planetarium

University of Moratuwa

University of Colombo

In Sri Lanka, there is a significant interest in Astronomy both among the general public as well as among school children. Most of the leading Schools have had active Astronomical Clubs for many years. In the Sri Lanka National node activities we will bring together the main organizations and institutions in Lanka which have been associated mostly with amateur astronomy, with Professional Astronomers of Lankan origin who are mostly doing research overseas.

Sri Lanka National Committee for IYA2009

AALK has appointed a National Committee for IYA2009 which consist of a chairman, secretary, and committee members. Committee members are selected as two volunteers from each above mentioned organizations. Other members from School based Astronomy clubs will be co-opted into the committee is they become active in organizing events for IYA2009

Chair – Prof. Kavan Ratnatunga.

Secretary – Mr. Thilina Heenatigala.

Committee Members

Astronomical Association of Lanka (AALK)

Fr. Mervyn Fernando

Mr. Yohan Ferreira

Arthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technology (ACCIMT),

Moratuwa. Sri Lanka.

Mr. Saraj Gunasekara

Mr. Indika Madagangoda

Astronomy & Space Study Center (ASSC),

Subodhi Institue, Piliyandala. Sri Lanka.

Mr. Pulasthi Kanaththage

Mr. Sithum Gunarathne

Colombo Planetarium,

Colombo 07, Sri Lanka.

Mrs. K.P.K. Koralagama

Mr. Nalaka Abeysekara.

University of Moratuwa – Astronomical Society,

Moratuwa. Sri Lanka.

Mr. Malinda Abeynayake

Mr. Dileepa Kulathilake

University of Colombo – Astronomical Society,

Colombo 07. Sri Lanka.

Mr. Sachith Dissanayake

Mr. Praveen Janantha

Collaborations

The National Node hopes to collaborate with Institutes listed below in organizing programs for IYA2009.

Sri Lanka Ministry of Science and Technology

Sri Lanka Ministry of Education

Sri Lanka National Science Foundation

Sri Lanka Association for Advancement of Science (SLAAS)

UNESCO, Colombo

American Centre, Colombo

British Council, Colombo

Russian Cultural Centre, Colombo

Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy

IYA2009 Sri Lanka Activity - Proposed Program

The Inaugural meeting of the Sri Lanka National Committee for IYA2009 was held on 2007 December 2^nd, at 11 AM at the Council Chamber of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS). Seven members of the committee attended despite the enhanced security checks on the main roads into Colombo on that day, which prevented some from attending.

The following program of activity for IYA2009 was decided.

1) To organize a significant gathering for astronomical activity at least once a month, to be publicised and open to the public. Each of the participating Institutions is expected to organize one or two events in 2009.

2) To have weekly articles on Astronomy in the Sunday Times Newspaper.

3) In June 2009, organize an Astronomical workshop in collaboration with Professional Lankan Astronomers doing research abroad. Many of them were motivated into a career in astronomy by the Ceylon Astronomical Association, which in its Golden Jubilee year.

4) Hold a nation wide multiple choice quiz competition to promote an interest in astronomy as well as study current understanding and misconceptions on the universe in Sri Lanka.

5) To have the 2000 edition of Carl Sagan’s 13 part TV series Cosmos subtitled in Sinhala and screened on National Lankan TV.

6) To request the Sri Lanka Philatelic Bureau to issue a postage Stamp in commemoration of IYA2009